There are five Technical Services staff based at Halley. Their role is to keep the base running in order for the science staff to keep the various experiments running. The jobs can range from simply changing a light bulb to servicing a bulldozer.

Paul Sharp is Halley’s resident electrician. Originally from Leeds, Paul has spent the two previous summer seasons here.

Paul works along side the other Technical Services staff, looking after the electrical side of the generators and the heating system. Paul also looks after the refrigeration plant, fire detection systems and other various ancillary items. Once a month Paul gives everyone on base Breathing Apparatus training. Should there ever be a fire on base, the base members have to act to be able to search for missing persons as well as locating the fire and extinguishing it in a safe manner. Paul is also the base Fire Officer.

Paul can be seen here instructing base members in the use of the Breathing Apparatus sets.

Andy Macconachie is the Halley Generator Mechanic. There are three Cummins 6BT Engines, which provide the electricity and heating needs for the Laws and Simpson Platforms along with the base melt tank. The Piggott Platform has two Cummins 4CT engines to provide power for the various experiments they run. Each generator runs for a 250hr cycle ( approx Ten days) before Andy services it. Along side the main generators, Andy has a number of smaller portable generator sets which can be used remotely from the base to provide electric in the field.

Andy’s background is in agriculture.

Andy can be seen here during a changeover between generators on the Laws Platform.

Gary Middleton is the base Vehicle Mechanic. Originally from Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Gary’s background is in the agricultural industry round there. Gary is down here for two winters and his role is to maintain the numerous Sno-Cats, skidoos, Cranes and Bulldozers that keep the base running. Over the summer period most vehicles are being used daily. Over winter the need isn’t so great and so the majority of them are "winterized". The vehicles are serviced before being driven onto a snow mound. By doing this it keeps them relatively clear of snow and prevents them being buried in the numerous blows that occur at Halley over winter.

Gary can be seen here fitting a Snow Blower to on of the two Bulldozers on base. This will be used to help clear the numerous wind tails around base.

Richard Borthwick is the Halley Heating and Ventilation Eng. In his second winter, his role is to maintain the heating system along with the water supply and the various boilers, pumps and gas appliances on base. The heating system runs off waste heat from the generators. This heat not only keeps us warm but is also used to melt snow in the underground melt tank. A tunnel system exists some 20 metres underground that contains the melt tank along with our fuel flubbers.